Hear from Our Customers
Kitec doesn’t just leak. It bursts. And when it does, you’re looking at thousands in water damage, insurance headaches, and the stress of an emergency repair in the middle of a Tahoe winter.
The brass fittings in Kitec systems go through something called dezincification. Basically, the zinc corrodes away when exposed to oxygen and water, leaving weak spots that eventually give out. Add in South Lake Tahoe’s freezing temperatures, and you’ve got a system that’s working against you every winter.
Replacing your Kitec plumbing in South Lake Tahoe means you’re not just fixing a problem—you’re eliminating it. You get reliable pipes that handle the cold, insurance companies that’ll actually cover you, and property value that doesn’t take a hit when it’s time to sell. Most homes with Kitec are now 15 to 30 years old, which puts them right in the failure zone.
A complete Kitec repipe in South Lake Tahoe gives you modern materials like PEX or copper that last 50 to 75 years. No more wondering if today’s the day. No more explaining to buyers why your plumbing is a liability.
We’ve been handling South Lake Tahoe’s plumbing challenges for years, and we’ve seen what happens when mountain conditions meet aging systems. Kitec repiping services in South Lake Tahoe require more than just swapping pipes—you need someone who understands how altitude, freeze-thaw cycles, and Tahoe’s strict TRPA codes affect every install.
We’re not the cheapest option, and that’s intentional. You’re paying for work that gets done right the first time, with materials that hold up in subzero temps and a team that shows up when we say we will. Our 4.7-star Google rating comes from being transparent about pricing, finishing jobs on schedule, and not disappearing after the check clears.
If you’ve got Kitec in your home, you already know the clock is ticking. We’ll walk you through what replacement actually looks like, what it costs, and how long it takes—no runaround, no upselling.
First, we come out and assess your system. That means checking where your Kitec runs, what’s behind your walls, and whether you’ve got any active leaks or weak points. We’ll also talk through material options—PEX is flexible and freeze-resistant, copper is durable and time-tested. Both work well in Tahoe’s climate.
Once you’re ready to move forward, we schedule the work around your availability. For most homes, a full residential Kitec repiping in South Lake Tahoe takes anywhere from three to seven days, depending on square footage and how your plumbing is laid out. We shut off water to specific zones as we work, so you’re not completely without service the entire time.
We remove the old Kitec, install the new system, pressure-test everything, and handle drywall patching where we had to open walls. If paint matching is needed, we coordinate that too. The goal is to leave your home functional and finished—not half-done with exposed pipes and a mess to deal with.
After the install, we walk you through the new system and answer any questions. You’ll also get documentation for your insurance company, which is key if you’ve been dealing with coverage issues or higher premiums because of the Kitec.
Ready to get started?
A complete Kitec repipe in South Lake Tahoe includes removing all existing Kitec pipe and fittings, installing new plumbing with PEX or copper, pressure testing the system to confirm there are no leaks, and repairing any drywall or finishes we had to access. You’re not left with a half-finished job.
In South Lake Tahoe, frozen pipes are one of the most common winter problems, especially in vacation rentals or homes that sit empty for weeks at a time. A new system installed with proper insulation and smart shutoff placement makes a huge difference. We also account for Tahoe’s building codes, which are some of the strictest in the country thanks to TRPA regulations.
For homes in the 1,200 to 2,500 square foot range, you’re typically looking at $8,000 to $20,000 for a full repipe, depending on access, layout, and material choice. That’s a wide range, but it reflects real variables—not vague pricing. Larger homes or properties with complex plumbing can run higher.
If you’re managing a rental property from out of the area, we can coordinate with property managers and work around guest schedules. And if you’re dealing with an insurance claim or trying to get reimbursed through the Kitec class action settlement, we’ll provide the documentation you need.
If your home was built or renovated between 1995 and 2007, check your exposed pipes in the basement, crawl space, or near the water heater. Kitec pipes are usually orange or blue, and the fittings are brass-colored. You might also see the brand names Kitec, PlumbBetter, IPEX AQUA, WarmRite, Kitec XPA, or AmbioComfort stamped on the pipes.
If you’re not sure, we can come out and confirm. It takes about 15 minutes to identify whether you’ve got Kitec, and there’s no charge for that initial check. A lot of homeowners don’t realize they have it until they’re selling the house or filing an insurance claim, and by then it’s already causing problems.
Even if your Kitec system hasn’t leaked yet, that doesn’t mean it won’t. Most failures happen 10 to 20 years after installation, and the failure rate is expected to eventually hit 100%. If you’ve got it, the smart move is to replace it before it becomes an emergency.
For a typical one- to three-bedroom home in South Lake Tahoe, a full Kitec repipe usually runs between $8,000 and $20,000. That includes removing the old system, installing new PEX or copper pipe, pressure testing, and patching drywall. Larger homes or places with tricky layouts can cost more.
The price depends on how much pipe needs replacing, how accessible your plumbing is, and whether we’re working around finished spaces or open framing. Homes with multiple bathrooms, a second story, or radiant heating systems take longer and require more material.
We give you a written estimate upfront, and we don’t tack on surprise fees once the job starts. If we run into something unexpected—like rotted framing or additional leaks—we’ll talk to you before moving forward. Some customers have told us the final bill came in lower than the estimate, which doesn’t happen often in this industry, but it’s something we take seriously.
Yes. A lot of insurance companies in California either refuse to cover homes with Kitec or charge higher premiums because of the liability. Once you replace it with PEX or copper, that issue goes away. You’ll need to provide documentation showing the work was done by a licensed contractor, which we give you after the job is finished.
Some insurers will reduce your premium once the Kitec is gone. Others will simply agree to cover you again if they’d previously denied or dropped your policy. Either way, it’s one less thing standing between you and affordable coverage.
If you’re in the process of buying or selling a home in South Lake Tahoe and Kitec shows up on the inspection report, expect it to become a negotiating point. Buyers don’t want to inherit the problem, and lenders sometimes require it to be replaced before closing. Getting ahead of it makes the whole process smoother.
Most residential Kitec repiping projects in South Lake Tahoe take three to seven days, depending on the size of your home and how your plumbing is routed. We work in sections so you’re not completely without water the entire time, and we clean up at the end of each day.
If you’ve got a smaller home or condo with straightforward plumbing, we can sometimes finish in two to three days. Larger properties with multiple floors, radiant heating, or limited access take longer. We’ll give you a timeline upfront so you can plan around it.
Weather can be a factor in Tahoe, especially in winter. If we need to shut off your main water line and temperatures are below freezing, we take extra precautions to avoid freeze damage during the install. That might add a day, but it’s worth it to do the job safely. We’ve been doing this long enough to know that rushing a repipe in the mountains usually leads to problems down the road.
You need a licensed contractor. Kitec repiping in South Lake Tahoe isn’t a DIY project, and trying to do it yourself usually creates more problems than it solves. You’re dealing with pressurized water lines, building codes, and the risk of serious water damage if something goes wrong.
California requires a licensed plumber to handle this kind of work, and Tahoe’s TRPA regulations add another layer of complexity. If the work isn’t permitted and inspected, you could run into issues when you sell the house or file an insurance claim. Some buyers won’t even consider a home if unpermitted plumbing work shows up in the records.
Beyond the legal side, a full repipe involves cutting into walls, rerouting pipes, pressure testing, and making sure everything is sealed and insulated properly for freezing temps. If you’ve got experience with plumbing and you’re just replacing a small section, that’s one thing. But a whole-house Kitec repipe? That’s a job for someone who knows what they’re doing and will stand behind the work if something goes wrong.
Shut off your main water line immediately. That’s the valve near your water meter or where the line enters your house. If you can’t find it or it’s frozen, call us right away—we offer 24/7 emergency service in South Lake Tahoe and can get someone out fast.
Once the water is off, start documenting the damage. Take photos, move anything valuable out of the affected area, and contact your insurance company. If your policy covers sudden pipe failure, they’ll likely send an adjuster. If they don’t cover Kitec-related damage, you’re paying out of pocket, which is why replacing it before it fails is almost always the better financial move.
After we handle the emergency repair, we’ll talk through your options for a full Kitec repipe in South Lake Tahoe. A lot of people use a burst pipe as the wake-up call to replace the whole system, especially if their insurance is already involved. We can work with your insurer to document the damage and provide estimates for the replacement work. The last thing you want is to patch one section and then deal with another failure six months later.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in South Lake Tahoe
